Has anyone read The 30-Day Low-Carb Diet Solution?

[GeorgiaGal]

I am thinking of switching from Atkins to PP and my library didn't have any of the books so I ordered it from Barnes and Noble to pick up tonight. Do you think it was a good read and easy to understand? Have any of you switched from ATkinds to PP and what do you like most about it? I like the idea of having a bit more carbs in a day so as to make this a real "way of eating" for the rest of my life and not stick with the "diet" mentality.

I have lost 3 pounds this week and am desperate to get into the 140's. I have upped my cardio to walking/running 4 days a week and lifting weights on alternate days. I just don't want to screw this up by changing my eating in midstream.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Dawn

[Ailuros]

I found it a very easy read - enough information to explain the rationale behind the recommendations, without getting bogged down in detail.

The area that I wasn't so keen on was that, in making things simple, rather than counting carbs, they talk about having a small serving - then progressing to larger ones as you approach maintenance. They list what a small serving is for lots of different foods, but I like to cook, and often a recipe will have, say some onion, a bit of tomato, maybe some red pepper etc - if I know the carb limits, then I can work out what changes I need to make, or how much of the recipe will give me a certain number of carbs. But that information isn't made very clear. It's easy to follow the suggested menus, or to have some meat with a vegetable or two. I suppose that's what it's intended for - a quick and easy guide that doesn't involve lots of counting. I think it's a good plan - there was just that minor criticism of the way the info is presented in that particular book.

[2big4mysize]

Since you

don't want to screw this up by changing my eating in midstream.

with your exercise you should be in the higher levles of the CCLL chart 60-90 net a day in the OWl carb ladder.

were you not able to do that before you increased your exercise to be in the vigorous exerciser catagory?
Many folk who hit the gym regularly can even eat more then 100 net carbs doing Atkins

[ElleH]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGal

I am thinking of switching from Atkins to PP and my library didn't have any of the books so I ordered it from Barnes and Noble to pick up tonight. Do you think it was a good read and easy to understand? Have any of you switched from ATkinds to PP and what do you like most about it? I like the idea of having a bit more carbs in a day so as to make this a real "way of eating" for the rest of my life and not stick with the "diet" mentality.

I have the book (along with PP and PPLP, and a plethora of others).

A few years ago when I was thinking I'd try to get back on PP, but didn't want to do all the counting, I bought this book. For some reason, it just didn't work for me this time! In a month, I lost nothing...no pounds, no inches. I was mad! I had had tremendous success with PP before. I had to switch to Atkins with it's food restrictions, very low carb start to figure out that I can't really lose eating grains, fruits and all the other things that I tried to work into my day, and also can't lose on 30 net carbs per day, even though I had done so successfully in the past. Things change...I guess! So I started with Atkins this time.

I still ended up back to a PP-type diet in the end, however. For me, switching from Atkins to more of a PPLP-style involved nothing more than moderating my protein intake. I tend to overeat protein if I don't have a guideline to go by and I stalled out above where I wanted to be doing that. I had already discovered that I feel better on the veggie carbs and can't do grains or fruits more than very occasionally. I call my plan as it stands now an Atkins-influenced PPLP, sort of!

I don't recommend this kind of tweaking, in general, however. I started LC in 1995 slightly overweight, maintained a good weight for almost 8 years, fell off the wagon for a couple years, gained 40 pounds, then came back to LC in 2006. I recommend that people follow their chosen plan 100% as written, no tweaks whatsoever, for a LONG time, before deciding whether or not a change is needed.

But, as to the book itself...

I think that for the person who just wants to jump right into the diet and also wants to "eyeball" the portions right from the start, it's a great plan. Some people just don't want to count every gram or use ****** or even even get into the science behind LC, and this book was written for them. It's a very basic how-to-do-the-diet book. PPLP-lite, if you will. There are some good, basic recipes in there, too. The BBQ wings is a weekly favorite of mine to this day!

I think that the desire to make this a WOL right from the get-go is great! I think that people who are able to "eyeball" and keep the portions correct are probably more relaxed in the WOE! I know that focusing on counting grams makes me more and more obsessed, and now I'm actively working toward eyeballing, so that I can hopefully do this "naturally" rather than relying on ****** to tell me how much to eat.

Give it a go! If you don't like it or it doesn't work for you, you can always "upgrade" to PPLP, and you'll be able to figure out why pretty quickly, whether it be inadequate portion control or eating foods you really just can't tolerate that's the culprit.

All the best!

[GeorgiaGal]

Thanks Ailuros for the info. I am debating if I really need the book or not. I am not sure how similar the two are.

2big - What is the CCLL chart? Sorry. :blush: Still trying to get used to all the lingo.

I have not adjusted my carb intake from Atkins (20) a day even when I started the exercise about a week and a half ago and liked todays results when I WI. I am in fear of stalling or gaining weight. I have been lurking on the PP board to see what you guys have been doing. I am intrigued with the fact that I could have more carbs if I chose to without messing up my progress - that's why I have been thinking of changing plans but didn't know if I really needed the book.

[ElleH]

Originally Posted by GeorgiaGal

I am intrigued with the fact that I could have more carbs if I chose to without messing up my progress - that's why I have been thinking of changing plans but didn't know if I really needed the book.

Just keep in mind that it's not really a "fact" that you could have more carbs and not "mess up" your progress. PP does allow more carbs than Atkins, but "allowing more carbs" and "tolerating more carbs" aren't always synonymous. It's a highly individual thing. Which is why there are so many LC plans...b/c all people don't react to one plan in the exact same way. All you can do is give it a try and see how *you* react to more carbs.

[GeorgiaGal]

Hi Ellie,

Thanks for the insight. If the 30-Day book is pretty much "this is how you do it" I may pass. The last thing I want to do is add to my mass collection of diet books.

I did reserve the PPLP at my local library and I am picking that up tomorrow. I think I'll start with that.

Thank you so much for your help and btw you look great in your pic!

[ElleH]

Thank you GeogiaGal! I'm originally from SC. Not too far from Myrtle Beach.

You will enjoy the PPLP. It was given to me by a friend last year, and that was the first time I'd read it. It was a real eye opener for me...and I started LC in 1995! It really made me rethink my burning desire to add grains back to my diet. I still haven't, not more than occasionally. It also convinced me to start supplementing with Mg and Vit D3. I'm really glad I did. My skin is so much improved (and I had good skin anyway) since I started the D3. I think the Mg just helps "everything."

[GeorgiaGal]

I have never been to Myrtle Beach but would love to see the Ocean from that side. I am actually in Roswell (NE suburb of Atlanta).


I never heard of Vitamin D3 and what is Mg? Magnesium? Sorry

Even though my stats say that I have been a member since 2007 I really just got back into it a few weeks ago and then always ask myself "why did I think anything else would work? Il ost the majority of my weight (to 156) on WW (and a recent divorce) and just couldn't keep up with the obsession of LF and FF foods. Why would anyone eat stuff that tastes so bad?

Well I'll get the book tomorrow and like you I feel so much better when I do very low grains. I also started this week using the CO and just mix it in my black coffee and trying to get used to the "oily" feeling/taste. I also bought psyillium husk powder from Trader Joes. Haven't seen a huge improvement in that area but perhaps it takes awhile. I do drink at least 90oz of water a day.

Thanks again and to be rid of the double chin after seeing you pic is motivation enough!!!

[2big4mysize]

the CCLL is the critical carb level for losing and each person has an individual one but based on your needed to lose pounds and your loss during 14 day induction you can estimate what your s will be using the Chart in DANDR 2002 chapter 14.

Also if you increase your exercise program your Atkins carb intake will go up too.

so if you like the eating but want more carbs you might check out the OWL chapter of 2002 DANDR cause Atkins carbs after induction are only limited by your body's tolerance for them just like on PP everything from veggies to nuts to berries to legumes to other fruits to root veggies to whole grains can be part of your Atkins OWL if your body will tolerate them.

[ElleH]

My maid of honor lives in Peachtree City. Myrtle Beach is a blast. It's changed a LOT since I spent every weekend in the summer there in a camper as a kid (plus Easter weekend in high school), but it is a place that holds a LOT of warm memories for me.

You know I forgot to ask? Why do you want to switch from Atkins to PP? Is it to eat more carbs? You can eat more carbs on Atkins, too. Just move on into OWL, as someone else mentioned, adding 5g carbs each day for a week and see how you do. Ya know, the "4th week carb level" of Atkins (30g) is the same as PPLP anyway. They kind of come together at that 4th week point and the rest of the plans are really quite similar from there on out.

In the 1992 edition of Atkins (which I follow), you can add back whatever carbs you want in any order you want (5g carb servings) but, if you follow the carb ladder recommended in 2002 book, you'll naturally be avoiding problematic foods like grains and legumes, until much later in the plan anyway! The only thing I felt like I needed from PPLP was a more moderated protein intake.

[Gr82bthin]

Yes, I have read it and have followed it cleanly for 2 weeks. Lost 6 pounds and feel terriffic. I put all my recipes in ****** rather than using the ones in the book. I really like the recipes.

[sinnerpeace]

[COLOR="Purple"]actually just finished it on sunday, I know myself though... will be staying clear of breads and not gonna eat much fruit(except avacados)....so yea I guess you could call my approach the atkins/pppln..even a touch of neanderthin...yea I have read some lc books....[/COLOR]

[DarkFairy]

OK I am new here. What is a PP diet? I have low carbed in the past and lost tons of weight but I am interested in trying a new aproach

[2big4mysize]

PP Protein Power

[iwant2bethin]

hi, like i said i need to lose weight by christmas time! my husband and i made a bet if i get back down to a size 7or lower (like in high school), he quits smoking!! i don't have very much willpower but this is important for him and me( i'd love to show him i can) i've been doing p.p. but just don't have the willpower. i guess want i'm asking is if anyone has any moivation for me and ways to mix up my eating( i love my carbs) and lose faster! thanks:)

[fshagan]

Originally Posted by iwant2bethin

hi, like i said i need to lose weight by christmas time! my husband and i made a bet if i get back down to a size 7or lower (like in high school), he quits smoking!! i don't have very much willpower but this is important for him and me( i'd love to show him i can) i've been doing p.p. but just don't have the willpower. i guess want i'm asking is if anyone has any moivation for me and ways to mix up my eating( i love my carbs) and lose faster! thanks

If you stick with the 30 grams net carbs per day at the start you should lose weight. Make sure you're eating the right amount of protein and you shouldn't be hungry. The first few days might be the hardest because you think of what you're missing. For me, my incentive was to improve my triglyceride levels so the weight loss was a happy coincidence (and now my focus has changed to losing the rest of the weight). But I was happy to include eggs and bacon again, as well as red meat, etc. I don't miss carbs any more at all, and because I'm not experiencing hunger all the time I have come to enjoy the program.

There are some spectacular weight loss stories out there, but a lot of us have to be happy with 1 - 2 pounds per week after an initial loss that appears larger (due to water loss). Look at what you think your ideal weight will be and calculate the number of weeks if you lose 1 pound a week, and commit to that much time on plan. If you're off by five pounds or so, are you going to be unhappy? If you hit it early or lose at a rate of 2 pounds per week you'll be estatic.

I don't know how long ago high school was for you, but age, childbirth, etc. bring normal and natural changes to our bodies. One of the beauty myths of today is that grown women should have flat stomachs and look like those starving actresses on TV (or like 17 year olds!) For reference, Google the 1954 Playboy pictures of Marilyn Monroe. You'll be surprised at how "fat" she looks (I also have a cropped pic that's family-friendly at my blog). I have my own theory as to why the "flat stomach" thing started, but its probably not appropriate for the forum!

I found Protein Power Life Plan (PPLP) to be a great resource. I read Protein Power first, but PPLP is a bit easier to read, and updated with more current information.